KTRU-LP broadcasts a freeform-eclectic music format on 96.1 FM;[1] its programming includes modern classical, reggae, indie rock, chopped and screwed, spoken word and local experimental noise bands.

[5] In 1991, KTRU's transmitter was moved to the north of Houston, increased in power to 50,000 watts and was presented with an operating endowment by Mike Stude, the owner of Houston-area radio station KRTS (now KROI) and an heir of the founders of Brown & Root.

On November 30, 2000, student volunteers entered the station to host their weekly punk show and found that their slot had been preempted by a sports game without prior notice and they were expected to operate the board during the broadcast.

[5] On August 17, 2010, Rice University announced that it had been in negotiations to sell KTRU's broadcast tower, FM frequency and license to the University of Houston System in order for 91.7 to become a full-time classical music and fine arts programming station, relieving KUHF from all music programming and allowing it to become a full-time news station.

The new station at 91.7, KUHA (since resold and now KHVU), would be operated as a not-for-profit outlet, with listener support funding the new classical music home.

[11][12][13] In the aftermath of the sale to the University of Houston, KTRU's programming continued to be broadcast, through an agreement with station owner Pacifica, in a digital-only format as the HD2 subchannel of 90.1 KPFT.

The current signal has a coverage radius of 5 miles (8.0 km) from Rice Stadium, covering southwest Houston within the Interstate 610 loop.

In early 2019, the Kansas station was sold to new ownership who were more receptive in allowing Rice to reclaim use of the KTRU call letters.

On August 21, 2019, Rice University acquired the right, through purchase, to once again utilize the KTRU calls as KTRU-LP; the $10,000 cost was fully funded by an anonymous donor.